Today was a really neat day for our 3rd and 4th grade students, their teachers, and myself. I will be honest about the fact that many of the opportunities that have been presented to us have absolutely caused chill bumps to spread across my arms and butterflies in my stomach from excitement. I leave work on so many days thinking, "Wow! That really happened today!" I never in a million years knew that I would be able to be a part of and help others be a part of such awesomeness. Being a library media specialist and making connections has literally changed my life, and I would like to think that I am helping our students and teachers be a part of something bigger and inspiring them.
Last week, I was sent an email about a live streaming event at the Library of Congress with Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, and Cokie Roberts, American journalist and author. The program was in celebration of Women's History Month and about her book Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped the Nation. It was open to 3rd and 4th grade students. I asked Mrs. Harmon (4th grade teacher) and Ms. Starnes (3rd grade teacher) if they would like to participate. They both said yes. So I hurriedly sent an email saying we would love to be a part of the event. Karen Jaffe, children's librarian at the Library of Congress, promptly emailed me back with more details. Our 3rd and 4th grade students were sitting attentively in the floor of Mrs. Harmon's room listening to Cokie Roberts speaking about influential women in American history. There were so many details I had forgotten or never known (such as Sacajawea being 15!) that I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be reminded and to learn. Plus, it feels like we met a celebrity (well, in her own way, she is!), as well as traveled to Washington D.C. without having to leave our school! Also, we were able to submit a question that was answered live and our school was mentioned live. How cool is that!?! I loved how our students were participating by answering questions that were being asked during the live event, and mentioning information that they had learned in their classes. It was a great time to share their knowledge and expound upon it. I am not going to lie. Today is a day that I will go home and say, "Wow! That really happened today!" as I already feel the chill bumps forming on my skin and the butterflies in my stomach. These opportunities are what education is all about- opening doors, inspiring, empowering, encouraging, and exciting students about learning. May we never stop learning, growing, and seeking. Our kids depend on us, and they are worth it.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Kimee ReedI am a Teacher Librarian that believes in out of the box experiences to make learning fun, inspire, encourage, excite, and empower students. Archives
June 2018
Categories |